Published: September 4, 2025
Correction made on 2/11.
Minor revision on 7/6.
This is Satou. Although Japanese people are often lumped together, many things differ across East, West, North, and South — from the color of the udon broth to the dialects. Perhaps due to the information age, these unique features seem to be fading lately, which is quite sad.
â—‡
The princess and her group had asked if I was Japanese like Yui and Aoi, based on the fact that my name is Satou and I have black hair and black eyes. It seemed they didn’t know Arisa’s name.
The girl in front of me, Yui, said she was summoned from the South Japan Federation, a country divided and governed from north to south. Sounds like a setting straight out of a fictional war story. Apparently, it’s a real country, so I shouldn’t call it just a setting.
However, if parallel worlds exist, I had thought I could return to Japan by going to the Saga Empire, but I have to reconsider that. Originally, I planned to stay here until I established a living foundation for Arisa and Liza, so it’s fine for now.
“When you say Nippon, do you mean the legendary country said to be the hero’s homeland?”
“Sato-san, aren’t you from there too?”
“My family has passed down the name Satou to the eldest son for generations. It’s said our ancestor was a hero of the Saga Empire, but apparently there hasn’t been a hero named Satou in the history of the Saga Empire, so it’s a dubious story,” I said.
Finally, I could use this setting. I thought I might never get a chance to use it after making it. Thanks to the support from my deception skill, Yui seemed to believe me.
Arisa spoke up beside Yui.
“Hey, what kind of country is the South Japan Federation?”
“Hmm? It’s an amazing country. Iron lumps fly in the sky, there are towers reaching up to the heavens, and even at night, it’s bright.”
“Oh, are there lots of delicious things too?”
“Hehe, yes, there are all sorts of things you’ve probably never eaten before, like—for example—”
Apparently, Arisa wanted to know how this country differed from the Japan she knew. She also engaged Aoi in conversation, touching on various topics.
While eavesdropping on these three’s conversation, I spoke to Princess Menea.
They probably didn’t just come to see if I was Japanese.
“Your Highness, only the Saga Empire can summon heroes, right? Did they defect from the Empire?”
“No, that’s not the case. They were summoned by our country.”
“Ah, Princess! That noble, please, please keep this confidential.”
I wasn’t expecting such an immediate answer.
Still, it’s not good to leak this to nobles from other countries. Ms. Pony hurriedly tried to stop the princess, but it was already after the crucial words were said.
Of course, I had no intention of leaking it, but I thought I’d play a little hardball to draw out more information.
“I want to keep it confidential, but since this concerns national defense, I cannot help but report it to the head family or the royal family.”
Ms. Pony seemed overwhelmed by how obvious my words were and kept making muffled noises, unable to find a point to chip away at me. She didn’t seem as skilled a politician as Arisa or Nina. Those two would immediately present me with exchange conditions so tough I’d have no choice but to be silent.
“Hehe, Satou-sama, please don’t be so mean. You’ll keep it confidential, won’t you?”
The princess confidently declared.
I wonder what her basis for that confidence is?
â—‡
“Satou-sama, I heard you are a direct vassal lord under the neighboring Baron Muno’s Barony.”
“Even if I’m a direct vassal, I’m only a lowest rank honorary knight.”
Right now, the princess and I are alone in a gazebo in the garden. It’s positioned so that you can see the room we were just in. Sitting down hides us behind the shrubbery, so we don’t worry about people watching.
When she invited me for a walk, I thought she had something she didn’t want Yui or Aoi to hear, but I was surprised she left Ms. Pony behind in the room.